Moving Picture World (Jul 1920)

466 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD July 24, 1920 Reelcraft Announces Billy B. Van as Star of Second Release of Royal Comedy Series THE new Royal Comedy Series now being prepared for distribution by the Reelcraft Pictures Corporation will have another star from the stage in the person of Billy B. Van, the well-known comedian. Van has a national reputation in nearly every form of amusement, musical comedy, burlesque, vaudeville, melodrama and minstrels. In the legitimate theatres of the United States he is remembered for his work in such productions as Klaw & Erlanger s “Little Nemo,’’ in “Have a Heart" and other musical comedy successes. In the days of the old Stair & Havlin circuit of theatres he was famous for his “Patsy Bolivar’’ character, in which he appeared for several seasons. The vaudeville theatres have also seen much of Van and will remember his sketch of “Props.” Of late Van has appeared with James J. Corbett, both in musical comedy and vaudeville. With his experience in comedy roles the coming pictures in which he is featured are expected to prove a big asset to this new series being distributed by Reelcraft. Gold Seal Now Making Second Film Travesty Charles Gramlich, manager and director of the Gold Seal Corporation, announces that the four reel travesty on “Dr. Jeltyll and Mr. Hyde” is now complete and he is now working on another travesty of a well-known screen production. Negatives of the Jekyll-Hyde travesty titled “When Quackel Did Hyde” are in the hands of Aywon Film Corporation, who are in charge of the distribution. The Gold Seal company have a studio and plant in Miami, and are also making fifteen two-reel comedies for Aywon, featuring Charlie Joy, seven of which are ready for release; eight others to follow, one each month. The cast includes Blanche Wilcox as leading woman, together with William Renfroe, Fatty Karr, Thomas Finlay, Korine Gordon, iiiiiinniiiiiiiiuiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiKimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiluiii Billy B. Van Star in Royal Comedies, released by Reelcraft. William Ryan, Jack Rawlings and several bathing girls. Leland Coutant is cameraman, and Mr. Gramlich is writing and directing all productions. Lively Bidding for Jans Film, “Madonnas and Men” “Madonnas and Men,” the special feature production of Carey Wilson’s and Edmund Goulding's story of ancient and modern times directed by B. A. Rolfe for Jans Pictures, Inc., is the subject of much lively bidding from state rights buyers, and many offers for bookings have been received from owners of circuit theatres, according to a statement from one of the Jans officials. Several big theatres have sought to book this feature for indefinite runs. No definite plans have been made as yet by Jans Pictures, Inc., as to just how placed on the market. Jans Pictures, Inc., feel that “Madonnas and Men” is a truly big feature attraction and for that reason are taking their time in making distribution arrangements. New “Hall Room” Titled Jack and Harry Cohn announce the next Hall Room comedy will be entitled “The Misfortune Hunters.” The two boys as “Misfortune Hunters” take out accident insurance and then hunt trouble whereby they may collect on the policies. Harry Williams directed this farce. “Vogues” Selling Rapidly C. A. Stimson, general sales manager of the American Film Company, reports that within two weeks after the announcement of state righting the Vogue comedies, which include several Ben* Turpin reissues, forty-seven per cent, of the territory had been sold, and it is expected that the remainder will be closed out within another two weeks. Many at Jans Showings Private screenings of “A Woman's Business” and “Wings of Pride” that have been held lately in the projection room of Jans Pictures, Inc., have been largely attended by buyers from all sections of the country. Contracts for the remainder of the territory still open on these two pictures is being negotiated for and it is expected that the entire United Sates will be closed within a very short time. Both pictures were produced under the direction of B. A. Rolfe, of the Jans organization. “Copperheads” in Demand Photo Products Export Company announces the scenes of the Copperhead series of dramas are laid in the picturesque mountain districts of North Carolina, and * contain very fine photographic effects. The pictures will serve to introduce several comparatively new artists to the screen, who are said to be showing great* promise in their work. Griffith Appears in “Screen Snapshots” Jack Cohn, who with Louis Lewyn produces “Screen Snapshots," reports the big producing organizations are lending a helping hand to help make this reel a success. D. W. Griffith is reported to be the latest producer to co-operate with “Screen Snapshots,’’ and scenes of the filming of “Way Down East,” with Griffith directing, were secured. This will be a feature of Issue No. 4 of Screen Snapshots which will shortly be released. Lillian Gish, Barthelmess, Harron and all the other Griffith stars will appear in succeeding issues* of Snapshots, it is said. iiuimimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiia Georgia Hopkins Everything’s peaches with Georgia in her Arrow comedy, "Bachelor Apartments.” niiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiminmiimmmiiuiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiniiiuiiiiiiiniiiiiimiiiimitiiNiiiiiiiimmiiimiiiiiiiimilllumiHillliiiiniiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiniii Edward Hemmer Summons His Clan for a Conf — Picture. The president of Hemmer Superior Productions is-seen in the center, with Elmer J. McGovern, W. H. Tuers, Clayton Davis, Jack Sweeney and “Bill” Holland (in car). iiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiimiiiiiimiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiimimiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii H. G. Till Enters Independent Market Establishes Exchange in New Orleans Another addition to the ranks of independent exchange men is H. G. Till, who has just opened an exchange in New Orleans. For the past few days he has been in New York securing productions for his territory, and has closed for the following: Series of tworeel Muriel Ostriche comedies from Arrow Film Corporation; Keystone singe reel comedies from Majestic Pictures, Inc., together with rights to “Up in Mary’s Attic,” the Fine Arts Pictures feature comedy for Louisiana and Mississippi. Mr. Till, whose present address is 2017 Carrolton avenue. New Orleans, was for two and a half years manager for Select Pictures in New Orleans and is well known to exhibitors in the Gulf and contiguous states. Ehrgott on Sales Tour Mr. A. L. Ehrgott, special representative of the C. B. Price Co., Inc., returned recently from a trip to Washington, D. C., where he sold to Variety Pictures Corporation the territorial rights for that district on the series of fifteen single-reel Indian dramas starring Mona Darkfeather. Practically the entire country has been sold on these pictures. \emaining Muriel Ostriche Comedies Will Be Filmed on the Pacific Coast . , , . „£ j i, „ _ i;441a /inuo-Vitor "Rcirharfl rhe remainder of the series of iriel Ostriche comedies will be oduced on the West Coast, ac •ding to an announcement from 3 Arrow offices this week, .rnette Sabin, who is producr the comedies, expects to leave r Los Angeles on August 1. Three of the Ostriche comedies ve been produced in the East. Ley are: “Betty Sets the Pace,” etty’s Green Eyed Monster” and leet Betty’s Husband.” The Ostriche comedies have en sold in practically every imrtant territory and been oked by leading theatres. Ard Gillstrom, director, will go the Coast with the Ostriche and her little daughter, Barbara. Barbara Sabin has been given a role in each of the comedies produced to date. Liie tiaot ***>-*» . Una nv as will Garnette Sabin Ruge series. New Series Announced The activities of the Photo Products Export Company, 220 West 42d street, New York City, are increasing from day to day and additions constantly being made to its list of releases. Besides the revivals already mentioned, including the Copperhead series of dramas, the Taliaferro production, there is also a new comedy series called the Billy